Aubrey McCarthy (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, wish Jeremy well as he departs. I hope he and George enjoy every success in their new roles.

It is good to see the Government preparing for the potential impact of the US Administration's tariffs and trade war. These tariffs could have significant consequences for Ireland's economy, particularly our exports. They will directly affect our food and drink sector and significantly affect our pharmaceutical sector. The US Administration has dubbed tomorrow "Liberation Day", a move which signals a major shift in trade policy. While we respect every nation's right to manage its trade affairs, we cannot ignore the very real risks these measures pose to Irish businesses, workers and farmers who rely on the US market for stability to bring their product. Some of our best-known products are in the US already, such as Kerrygold, Jameson Irish whiskey, Guinness and so on. In addition, a large percentage of the drugs produced here are exported to America. We must act swiftly to protect Irish jobs and ensure our industries remain competitive in light of these challenges.

It is welcome that this House will debate the matter on Thursday, allowing us to discuss the Government's response and explore ways to safeguard Ireland's economic interests. Our priority must be to secure our workers' livelihoods but also to ensure Ireland remains resilient in the face of the global economic shifts ahead. As Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated yesterday, "Co-operation is always better than confrontation", where possible.